home automation controller
Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 12:18 am
Hello, I have built a custom controller software package using flowstone. The labjack U3 HV is my real world interface. The system currently supervises and control my home solar power system. Also it controls my dog feeder/ water valve. I've attached the schematic file for anyone who wishes to use it. Also, the controller has voice annunciation built in (usng media player lite and wav files generated from TTS software).
For anyone wishing to use the labjack U3 for basic controls and supervision you can use my fsm file to help create your own solution. Namely, I have implemented the following in flowstone:
1. Battery Low Voltage Disconnet and Reconnect. This alllows my battery bank to be disconnected when the voltage falls below a threshold and to be reconnected to the load when the voltage rises above a different threshold. This was necessary since my solar inverters do not shutdown when my battery bank goes below 21volts (which actually cripples the service life of lead acid batteries 24volt nominal).
2. One shot timer. Basically when momentary pushbuttons are pressed at different points in the home, my solar water pump turns ON, if the same push button is pressed again, the pump will turn off. Also if the pump is not manually turned OFF it will shutoff after a specified time via a selectable software timer.
3. Via flowstone I can automatically or manually select between battery power or utility power. This is a simply digital output signal to relay modules I have installed within the home power system.
This project is pretty simple and uses very little signal processing. What it does well is real world interfacing with the labjack and demonstrates how easy (and cheap) it is to have your own custom built control system.
My next control expansion project includes water cooling of the solar panels. The flowstone schematic will again be the controller for this by monitoring the panels' temperature and turning on/off a pump to get the water up to the roof.
For anyone wishing to use the labjack U3 for basic controls and supervision you can use my fsm file to help create your own solution. Namely, I have implemented the following in flowstone:
1. Battery Low Voltage Disconnet and Reconnect. This alllows my battery bank to be disconnected when the voltage falls below a threshold and to be reconnected to the load when the voltage rises above a different threshold. This was necessary since my solar inverters do not shutdown when my battery bank goes below 21volts (which actually cripples the service life of lead acid batteries 24volt nominal).
2. One shot timer. Basically when momentary pushbuttons are pressed at different points in the home, my solar water pump turns ON, if the same push button is pressed again, the pump will turn off. Also if the pump is not manually turned OFF it will shutoff after a specified time via a selectable software timer.
3. Via flowstone I can automatically or manually select between battery power or utility power. This is a simply digital output signal to relay modules I have installed within the home power system.
This project is pretty simple and uses very little signal processing. What it does well is real world interfacing with the labjack and demonstrates how easy (and cheap) it is to have your own custom built control system.
My next control expansion project includes water cooling of the solar panels. The flowstone schematic will again be the controller for this by monitoring the panels' temperature and turning on/off a pump to get the water up to the roof.